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Monday, August 15, 2011

Cilantro Lime Chicken

It's Secret Recipe Club time again and for my third month participating Amanda assigned to me another very interesting and recipe filled blog. This month my assigned blog was Once a Month Mom. Like a man with a new toy who doesn’t bother to stop and read the directions, I jumped right into the blog looking at recipes but found I was a bit confused as to who was Once a Month Mom as I was seeing different contributors. I finally pulled myself away from reading recipes and read the “About” page and learned that while Tricia started the blog there are other women who specialize and contribute various menus to meet the dietary needs of their readers. I had fun searching through all the different menus and checking out recipes by ingredients.

Like my first month and second month participating I was once again in a quandary as to which of the many wonderful recipes to make but what finally led to my decision was a major grocery shopping faux pas on my part. The market had limes @13 for $1 so I stocked up as it’s summer and I use lime juice all the time. I make a lot of Thai food and depending on what I have in the house I’ll often use lime juice in place of lemon juice in my Watermelon Frosty, Cantaloupe Agua Fresca or Melon Agua Fresca so I go through them. My faux pas wasn’t in buying 13 limes it was when I forgot that I had almost a dozen limes at home and purchased a second baker’s dozen. I was in lime overload so when I saw a recipe for Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken and realized that not only did it use limes but that I had all the other ingredients in the house, well it was a no-brainer!

Also working in the recipes favor was that it was EASY! I did make a few changes to the original in adding the zest from the limes along with some additional spices but even with my additions it was super easy. The recipe was a huge and I mean HUGE hit. Eammon raved about the chicken and told me that the recipe was a keeper and asked when I would make it again. Considering that the ingredients are ones that I almost always have in the house, I will definitely be making this chicken again.

So how easy was this recipe?

I zested my limes right into a zipper bag.

I added the lime juice, garlic, cilantro and the other marinade ingredients.

I then added the chicken and my beautiful little Maisie Miao Miao smooshed everything around so that the chicken was completely covered with the marinade. We let the chicken marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator then baked it and dinner was served.

Cilantro Lime Chicken served with a variety of tomatoes fresh from our garden over arugula with Balsamic Dressing.

In a zipper bag add the olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, cumin, honey, salt & pepper and smoosh to mix. Add the chicken breasts and mix to coat. Refrigerate for a few hours to marinate.

Pre-heat oven to 450F. Line a baking sheet with foil (because it makes clean-up so much easier) and then spray with cooking spray. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it skin side up on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the juices run clear.

Easy peasy!

Enjoy!

Also for directions on how to have this as a make ahead meal where you prepare, freeze and then cook the chicken later check out Once A Month Mom.

The flavors in this chicken are the ones I often have cravings for, plus you can never have too much limes so good thing they were at a bargain (twice)! It's a delight to see Maisie grow every time I come here, she's gorgeous, as always :-).

I was assigned Once A Month Mom my first month in the Secret Recipe Club and the recipe I tried was fantastic. I know this will be just as delicious. The flavors sound amazing in this. Always looking for new chicken recipes. I would like to invite you to visit my blog to enter my giveaway. Check it out if you are interested. http://imapretendchef.blogspot.com/2011/08/food-should-taste-good-giveaway.html

Great choice for SRC - this marinade is right up my alley! I've done that so many times forgetting what I have at home and buying more...I just bought some bell peppers the other day only to find that I already had a couple.

I had this blog last month in SRC! I love that you picked a chicken recipe, this one looks like it would freeze well. I love cilantro and lime together. How sweet that you cooked with your beautiful little one!

OMG - What a terrific recipe. I need to make this. Actually, I think tonight. Just bought chicken yesterday. Love it! The SRC is a such a wonderful way to meet other like minded food bloggers! Have a great week!!!